Very toxic work environment. - Mechanical Design Engineer KUKA Employee Review

1.0
27 June 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The work place has a small Tesco nearby which is convenient for lunch and if you drive there is a McDonald. There are a few people who are absolutely lovely to work with or be around. Letting off a positive energy and supporting of your emotional well-being

Cons

Sadly KUKA have very smart and experienced people who are overlooked and ignored. There is a sense of hierarchy for power which can’t be broken, you are given demeaning tasks and the work load is very demanding required within a very short period of time. It is very toxic where I received verbal abuse daily. The most disgusting words said to me imaginable as-well as it being acceptable to be discriminative to religion as well as disabilities within the work place as I witnessed someone continuously be ridiculed and called things referring to retarded by managers. The manager have no back bone to review and receive criticism for his management style or lack their off. When bought to their attention, it is then made very aware to everyone you have displeased management which follows with passively being ignored or spoken down to and shown anti social behaviour. There are some lovely people there but they are the people who have no say despite their postion as I said it’s a heirarchy of power. This isn’t a review of things that hasn’t been bought to there attention. The HR is flawed aswell as the company. Everything being expressed has been bought forward regarding the toxic and sadly mentally draining work environment however the people are either dismissed from there job or caused to fight against the upper manager until they are reluctant to leave due to them being isolated. This is reflected in the work output as KUKA Halesowen site are struggling to sell or make profits continuously losing employees and making loss year on year. I would steer clear of this company despite its background and reputation of robotics. Especially apprentices as they are run to the ground and abused with the workload. This place teaches you to toughen up and adapt in a toxic environment and not to learn and grow as an engineer, as-well as dealing with sexual harassment from management, verbal abuse and bullying daily. Within my countless years of working there the benefits and pay increase was limited where as management would receive a hefty Christmas bonus eating into the employees bonus. Another point to add is they expect you to work in your own time. That is an expected and if not you will be called out and treated different.

avatar
KUKA Response
2y
We are disappointed to learn of your experience. Your description of the culture at KUKA, is not one that we recognise. At KUKA, we are committed to creating a harmonious working environment, which is free from harassment and bullying and in which every employee is treated with respect and dignity. We are also committed to ensuring that individuals do not feel apprehensive because of their religious belief, gender, political opinion, sexual orientation, race, age, disability or as a result of being subjected to any inappropriate behaviour. We take any allegations of harassment or bullying very seriously. We encourage open communication at KUKA and have a number of different informal and formal channels that support two-way communication and feedback from employees. All employees who provide feedback to us, are listened to. Should you wish to raise to any raise any concerns with us directly, we would be more than open to have a conversation with you offline. HR Manager, KUKA UK

Explore other reviews about KUKA

5.0
29 Aug 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

In my experience Kuka has a family style environment. Everyone is easy to work with and the team is flexible.

Cons

Although some managers are helpful when there are home life situations there is no plan for any type of remote positions available.

3.0
15 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible around personal things that come up, events for employees, good benefits.

Cons

The company often tries to take on more work than they have staff for.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All